Imams speak out amid furor over Western University LGBTQ poster
The poster promoting gay rights depicted two women in hijabs about to kiss.
Author of the article:Norman De Bono
Publishing date:May 20, 2022 • 7 hours ago • 2 minute read
Local Muslim leaders say their goal is “understanding and harmony” amid pushback against the depiction of two women in hijabs about to kiss on a Western University poster promoting gay rights.
The Muslim leaders’ frustration over the image – a reaction that itself sparked blowback across London and beyond – forced the university to delete the illustration from its social media page hours after it was published earlier this week.
Thursday, the London Council of Imams issued a statement looking to calm any conflict, saying they are “saddened” by the “increasing polarization in our society.”
“We do not want to contribute to that trend,” the imams’ statement read. “We want to do our part to promote understanding and harmony among the diverse people who live on these lands and who share many common goals and values, even as we differ on many issues.
“We unequivocally reject any hateful statement made towards any individual or group based on their religion, culture, ethnicity and/or sexual orientation.”
This Western University poster, created to support the fight against homophobia, has sparked a backlash from the local Muslim community for including a depiction of two women in hijabs kissing.
This Western University poster, created to support the fight against homophobia, has sparked a backlash from the local Muslim community for including a depiction of two women in hijabs kissing.
The image at the centre of the furor included several depictions of couples, all illustrations, including one of two women in hijabs about to kiss. It was published by Western University as part of its effort to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
As the local imams sought to clarify their stance, their pushback against the image was drawing criticism.
“Homophobic Muslims were offended by (the) post by” Western University, wrote Twitter user Yasmine Mohammed. She added: “We are against homophobia . . . unless of course if homophobes get upset, then we will happily capitulate to homophobes.”
Wrote officials with the Canadian Anti-Hate Network: “LGBTQ+ Muslims exist and have every right to be represented.”
In Thursday’s statement, the local imams thanked Western for deleting the social media post and offered to work with the school on any future campaigns.
“While we understand that the intent of the poster published . . . is to promote inclusion, we can see that the goal was not met and the means used were contrary to inclusion. We have received feedback from Muslim students and community members that they were not consulted in the development of the campaign.”
Members of the Muslim community argued the image was “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” because the hijab, an Islamic veil, has religious and spiritual connotations.
School officials, who indicated Muslim students were consulted, initially appeared to stand behind the poster, noting they understood “how complex and intersectional this topic is” and that the “imagery may be upsetting to some Muslims.” But on Wednesday, a Western official who oversees equity, diversity and inclusion issued a statement noting the image had been removed.
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Local Muslim leaders say their goal is "understanding and harmony" amid pushback against the depiction of two women in hijabs about to kiss on a Western University …
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